UPDATE, Dec. 19: A tweet from DDOT confirms that the new ramp is "slated to open this afternoon, possibly in time for evening rush hour." UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: According to NBC4's Adam Tuss, the ramp is now open.

Original post:Just out from DDOT, an announcement that the long-awaited ramp from the outbound 11th Street freeway bridges (now known as I-695) to DC-295 northbound is expected to open "on or about December 19." This means that vehicles traveling eastbound on the southeast freeway can now remain on the freeway for their entire trip to DC-295 northbound, instead continuing along the stub of the Southeast Freeway ending at Barney Circle, then traveling across the Sousa Bridge to then endure a nightmare left turn onto DC-295.

UPDATE: I should also note that, according to the graphic at right, eastbound freeway traffic will start being routed (temporarily!) on the new flyover built during the past few years that will eventually carry inbound traffic; but using it for outbound traffic at this point allows the existing older outbound flyover to be demolished to make way for a new outbound flyover. Photos and additional explanations here and here.

UPDATE II: However, if you're used to getting onto the eastbound freeway and 11th Street Bridges via the ramp at 8th and Virginia, be advised that ramp will close when demolition begins of the old outbound flyover, which is expected to start in late January. And, to answer another lingering question from this post, that's when the eastbound freeway east of 8th will be closed, which also means that the little ramp from 9th and Virginia to the eastbound freeway stub will be closed as well. (This all from@DDOTDConTwitter.) You'll be able to access the new ramp to DC-295 northbound by getting on eastbound I-695 via the new-ish ramp on the southeast corner of 11th and M; in fact, the entrance lane from that ramp I believe puts you directly in the DC-295 NB exit lane. Or, if you're on the western end of the neighborhood, you can get on the eastbound freeway at South Capitol Street (only in my fever dreams).

KLB says: (12/14/12 12:24 PM)Will Update 1 also occur on our about 12/19? It seems like they still have some work to do on the new flyover, and getting access to the flyover as there are barriers up now.

JD says: (12/14/12 12:28 PM)I don't have confirmation, but if they're not closing the eastbound freeway stub until January, I think they might not move onto the new flyover until then. But the map they released shows that as the new traffic flow, so we'll just have to see.

Maelstrom says: (12/14/12 5:34 PM)Actually, the new flyover looks translucent to me in the traffic flow picture. I don't think the flyover is part of the 12/19 thing at all. It looks to me like the south/east pointing arrows are on the old flyover still. The tan road near the top of the freeway is the new entrance ramp, not the flyover.

THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE 1233 1ST ST SE SUBMISSION IS THE CORE AND SHELL ONLY OF A NEW 12 STORY BUILDING. THE APPROXIMATELY 127 200 SF BUILDING IS INTENDED TO BE A HOTEL. THE FUTURE INTERIOR FIT-OUT WILL BE SUBMITTED SEPARATELY. THE BUILDING WILL SIT ON TOP OF GROUND FLOOR RETAIL / LOBBY LEVEL SUBMITTED AS PART OF A SEPARATE SUBMISSION FOR 1277 1ST ST SE.

1277 1ST ST SE

03/25/15
BALLPARK RESIDENTIAL LLC / BALL PARK SQUARE LLC

B1403488 /
CONSTRUCTION

THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE 1277 1ST ST SE SUBMISSION INCLUDES 2 LEVELS OF BELOW GRADE PARKING TOTALING 370-380 PARKING SPACES A GROUND FLOOR RETAIL / LOBBY / LOADING LEVEL WITH APPROXIMATELY 26 500 SF OF RETAIL AND AN APPROXIMATELY 304 000 SF 13 STORY APARTMENT BUILDING CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 326 UNITS.

1299 1ST ST SE

03/16/15
BALL PARK SQUARE LLC / PHYLLIS STEVENS

B1403487 /
CONSTRUCTION

THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE 1299 1ST ST SE SUBMISSION IS THE CORE AND SHELL OF A NEW APPROXIMATELY 7 600 SF 2 STORY RETAIL BUILDING WITH A SINGLE BASEMENT LEVEL. THE BUILDING IS INTENDED TO BE A RESTAURANT. THE FUTURE INTERIOR FIT-OUT WILL BE PERMITTED SEPARATELY.

909 HALF ST SE

03/26/15 23 I LLC / WAYNE REEP; 23 I LLC; WAYNE REEP

E37408577 /
SUPPLEMENTAL

1015 HALF ST SE

03/17/15
BON CHON / PHILIP GODAIRE; BON CHON; PHILIP GODAIRE

P42469697 /
SUPPLEMENTAL

03/17/15
EVAN OBRIEN / JOSEPH ABRESCH; EVAN OBRIEN; ROBERT HUNSBERGER

E74054014 /
SUPPLEMENTAL

03/25/15
HALF ST SE LLC / GEORGE DELGADO

B1501688 /
CONSTRUCTION

INTERIOR ALTERATION TO 3 4 5 FLOORS AND PARTIAL 6TH FLOOR. WORK TO INCLUDE ELECTRICAL MECHANICAL AND PLUMBING

REPLACEMENT OF NOT MORE THAN 1 GAS APPLIANCE ON A RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL PROJECT.

1111 NEW JERSEY AVE SE

03/19/15
NJA ASSOCIATES LLC / THOMAS P MCGUIRE

E1504215 /
SUPPLEMENTAL

25 POTOMAC AVE SE

03/18/15
RIVERFRONT HOLDINGS I LLC / GLENNWOOD ROGERS

P1504172 /
SUPPLEMENTAL

301 WATER ST SE

03/13/15
FOREST CITY / FVI 2020

TL1500054 /
CONSTRUCTION

NEW RESTAURANT TENANT LAYOUT AT THE LUMBER SHED PARCEL FOR AN OYSTER BAR WITH 55 INTERIOR SEATS (55 AT 1ST LEVEL AND 30 AT MEZZANINE) 10 STAFF AND 38 OUTDOOR SUMMER GARDEN SEATING.

03/13/15
FC LUMBER SHED LLC / FLACK

TL1500055 /
CONSTRUCTION

FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR WITH A TOTAL NUMBER OF SEATS OF 170. INDOORS SEATING IS 86 OUTDOORS SEATING IS 84 ALL OUTDOOR SEATS ARE LOCATED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. TOTAL OCCUPANT LOAD OF 189 WHICH INCLUDES 19 STAFF.